Duke heads into Saturday’s trip to Raleigh with the ACC race still in view, and the Blue Devils know the margin for error is getting thin.
At 6-2 overall and 3-2 in league play, Duke has strung together two straight wins and now enters a demanding four-game stretch. Coach Manny Diaz put the emphasis squarely on what comes next.
"The big key for us is how we play in November," Duke coach Manny Diaz said.
The matchup comes with a familiar backdrop. Duke and NC State’s home stadiums sit just 22 miles apart, and Diaz knows the territory well after spending six seasons as an NC State assistant under Chuck Amato, who died last month. Still, Diaz said the Wolfpack’s coaching change after Dave Doeren’s recent dismissal is not something his team can spend too much time chasing.
"You just have to believe what you see on the film," Diaz said. "You try to glean whatever information you can from (last Saturday) if there are differences. But it’s still such a small sample size."
NC State enters at 4-4 overall and 2-3 in the ACC, and this will be its second game under interim coach Todd Goebbel after last weekend’s 31-10 win over Cal. Goebbel said the Wolfpack aren’t looking to overhaul anything as they settle into the new setup.
"Nothing will change this week in game planning, practice habits, fundamentals, expectations, or standards," said Goebbel, who had been special teams coordinator and running backs coach. "We’ll stay even-keeled throughout this process and get ready to play."
Duke’s offense will again lean on Nate Sheppard, who just put together a five-touchdown game against Boston College. Goebbel singled out the running back’s patience and physical style as NC State prepares for the challenge.
"The biggest thing is his patience in his runs," Goebbel said. "He has great contact balance.
He knows how to play behind his pads. He’s always falling forward."
Sheppard’s production has pushed him to the school’s single-season record of 18 touchdowns, including 14 rushing and four receiving.
NC State linebacker Popo Aguirre is coming off a 16-tackle performance, and the Wolfpack could also get running back Duke Scott back after he missed about a month with a left foot injury. Scott is listed on this week’s depth chart.
"He has worked really hard to get himself back," Goebbel said. "I think he feels good. He’s excited to have a great week of practice and be ready to go this Saturday."
Duke has taken the last three meetings with NC State and five of the past six, but Goebbel said the Wolfpack are keeping their focus on the present.
"We’re not focused on the past," Goebbel said. "We’re focused on this week."
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